How did this society come to this point ? From the idea of eliminate welfare, it ends up jailing citizens for being unable to pay child support ! Jailing someone for debt is nothing more than "debtor's prison" regardless of how to dress up your reasoning with pretty words or moral high ground. Would it be possible that someday, someone will have a bright idea of jailing people for failing to pay, say, credit card debts or mortgage debts ?
Moral issues aside, this practice is clearly a violation of Civil rights and a slap in the face of the 13th Amendment against "involuntary servitude" or slavery. Someday, those who violated citizens' rights will be prosecuted and brought to justice for their crimes.

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Well in this particular case, 1,666 per month in "Child Support" from the FATHER seems a bit excessive but one must also wonder where is the MOTHER’S 1,666 contribution through the states enforcement system as Federal precedent would require under the guise of similarly situated litigants?

The answer, Simple.... It does not exist, it is assumed or implied.
One parent is given the benefit and credit for providing a home, when facts are that both are required to have a home in order to be considered fit parents.

Lets see here, logically speaking....
Michigan and its tyrant zealots feel that by placing a parent in jail, be it a mother or a father that they are helping the kids, when in fact any somewhat intelligent person would clearly be able to see that what is really at issue is federal funding.

Not only do they receive federal funding for the monies that he "owes", in a contract that was imposed upon him by an arbitrary decision rendered in a void judgment, lacking any basis in Fact or LAW, but the state also receives additional federal funds for the incarceration, to the tune of not less than $145 per day plus reimbursement for all medical expenses.

How much of this federal funding under incentive payments and incarceration reimbursement will be disbursed to the child?

Of what benefit can this parent ever be to the child given that the state prison system DOES NOT REHABILITATE people it hardens and DESTROYS what ever hope they may have once had.

Exactly what has this done for the child?

Absolutely NOTHING whatsoever.....

It May have allowed the child to be able to attend the fathers funeral,
if the child is unlucky enough to receive notification, and the mother is willing to acknowledge it.

Personal opinion is fine however that does nothing for the child either.

So what exactly is the answer?

Don’t spread your legs, and you don’t have to worry about it….
Don’t pull that thing out of your pants and you won’t have to worry about it….

If you have a child, and take custody of that child, you should be willing to support it with or without the financial assistance which by legal definition is nothing more than welfare. There is no entitlement for spreading your legs, or for not wrapping that thing up. What you are entitled to is what you get…. A Child.
The rest is up to you to be responsible about.
But then if we were responsible, we would not have the extreme number of single parent kids running around trying to figure out which way is up or what is right or wrong. Both parents would be there to insure that they were properly informed and that their decisions were well informed.

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BTW..... FOODSTAMPS = T.A.N.F

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The bitterness divorce causes when there are children involved is going to ruin our country. We are raising a nation of children that are angry. Some because Mom expects them to be angry - but about what? She wants money...and the kids need the money. If child support is to take care of the children...then why are there so many mothers using the money for everything but support? So many times when the support is paid...it is used for things other than the child. If you child sees that happening...and then sees Mom being angry if the money is not coming in or it is less then it is supposed to be...your child will remember all that...just like they remember if it does not come in at all.

If a man and a woman cannot get along...then it is divorce here we come. If they have children...then BOTH of the parents should be having to support the children.

I have seen in so many cases...Daddy is ordered to pay...Mommie remarries and step-daddy supports the kids. The child support is set so high that Daddy can't even live a normal life...and when he gets behind...it is off to jail with him...and sometimes he even loses his own children because he can't keep up the support. AND, way too often it is because of things the daddy can't even control...like illness...injury...loss of job. If the parents are still together when these things happen...they get help...but if it happens when they are divorced...then the kids lose daddy and daddy loses the kids.

I agree that it is very expensive to raise a child...but if you have those children together...then you both should be paying for their support if the relationship fails. it is not the children that have failed...it is the parents.

No one should lose a parent or a child because of money.

I am a mother and a grandmother. I have worked very hard all of my life to support my children and help with my grandchildren. I have never thought that it is totally up to the daddy to pay for everything.

Like I said, I am female and I support rights for all, but when you say rights...just know that rights means for everyone.

If women want equal rights...then you have to except equal rights for all concerned. He and She should have rights to their children...and they both have an obligation to raise and support them...BOTH of the parents...not just one of them.

If you want to be the proud parent of a grown well adjusted child...allow that child both parents and make sure both parents are doing everything they CAN for their child. Emotionally & Financially!

Also, remember...if your child is allowed to love and be loved...he or she will grow into an adult that will make better choices. They will function like adults should...not always trying to get back at someone.

If the day you marry, this man is the most important person in your life...then you have children with him...he will become the most important man in your child's life...let it be.

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Child support is becoming a big business thanks to our government officials. Some make money by receiving federal incentives (66 cents for every dollar of arrearage they collect, so, don't be suprised they create "immediate arrearage" by applying current orders going back many years ago), by issueing law or act to create inequity (if people have equal responsibility and take care of the child equally, how could they impose child support?), even by jailing people (federal funds), or just merely having kids !
Here is how this scheme works:
1/ Have 3 kids from 3 different guys. This is the trick: 3 different guys ! Because CS money is not considered as income, so it is not a factor to compute CS or tax. One could receive thousands dollar a month and doing nothing, so that when calculating CS for the next "victim", her income would still be 0 !
2/ Assuming she receives $1,600/month from each guys. Cash and no tax. She could spend just $3,200/month (plus food stamp, MediCare, child care from government programs). She would then invest $1,600/month in some kind of mutual fund. After 18 yrs, she could accumulate an amount of $1,078,290.81 assuming Small Cap historical return.
3/ She could start this scheme as early as 20 yrs old and by 38 yrs old, she could be set for life.

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Well, this sure seems to be the place for women to slam men.......I have little to say except that child support is a 2 way street.......denial of access is a deadbeat mother......I have never seen my ONLY child in almost 22 years sue to active concealment by an obsessed alienator......we will be in a court room soon together after all these of me tracking her down....I have been refunded support so I know evil women exist.....child support is just that also.......not a means for a woman to pay for a place to live or a car to drive......I doubt any woman helps a man pay for those things.....some of you need an awakening as to the meaning of child support...it is NOt spousal support......or back door alimony.

Learn to provide a roof under which to live and transportation as it is no longer the mans responsibility to provide for anything but that child..........if you cannot afford a place to live on your own or a car to drive I suggest you get a better job and use your equal rights you have fought for......and if you cannot care for the child then it is time to have dad take custody and the mom pay support......lets see just how fast you fall into arrears....There are good and bad in both sexes....but as laws change and times change and women see prison cells for non payment......dont expect men to care about their time behind bars.

It is time for parents to support themselves .....if they cannot then it is obvious they are the ones who are not fulfilling their duties as a parent...

Funny thing I listened to a woman judge chastise a mother for stating that her car payment and rent were to be paid by support....the judge was not happy to think that an irresponsible parent who cant care for themselves has custody .....so they can get payments made for them.......sad sad sad.....its called EQUAL Opportunity women wanted it...now tyou have it and you still complain....someone should give you something.....nobody has ever given me anything ....so I doubt I will give an undeserving woman anything except a ticket to a courtroom to battle the concealment charges and tort remedies she will be facing......there are 2 sides to these issues.....and I can prove women hide children....

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I was never married to my sons father, I never filed for child support, I did recieve welfare off and on. And from the time he was a month old I worked full time.Minimum wage jobs all our lives. His dad was always a part of his life in every other way. That was more help and better then any red cent he could have ever put into my hands. When our son was with his dad his dad took care of his financial needs and while he was with me I did it. His dad just like me did not make alot of money but our responsibility as parents and the needs of our son were met our own way. (This is what parenting is truly about) weather to people remain together or a part if they have children they should BOTH help one another be the parent that the children deserve. Keep it fair, Keep it equal. For the children. (We did this without ever stepping foot into a court room)As far as money went and my son wanting something(which is different then needing) that decision was made the same way it would have been if his father and I would have stayed together. His father and I would discuss what my son was wanting and if we agreed we wanted him to have it then which ever one of us had the money at the time bought it, if we needed to split the cost at that time then we did it. If niehter of us could afford it at the time he just didnt get it.(and it was not the end of the world)my son grew up knowing what no meant.As well as appreciating the things he did get. When it came to important things like medical ect... who ever could pay for it at the time did it. Who needs a judge to tell you how to parent for crying out loud! I have never heard of a parent filing a motion to force a noncustodial to spend time with their child. Ive only heard of motions being filed for financial support. So what is truly the issue here? If you truly want your CHILD to have a good relationship with the other parent then promote it dont sabatash it, next time you go to the court house to file a motion for child support you could ask for a form to file a motion to enforce your x to spend more quality time with their child as well, and share in all important decision making for the childs up bringing and best intrest (thats priceless)because that is also what being a parent is all about. I know the court house has forms for noncustodial parents to file for more visitation, hmmm not real sure if they have one for custodials to enforce more visitation though hmmmm wonder why that is?

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I've just learned that I am the father of a seventeen-year-old girl. Her mother, an old college girlfriend, never told me about her. Nobody denies that. So why tell me now? Because she wants child support and medical insurance! The state is pushing the issue because (and I am speculating) it wants restitution for public aid, which the 1996 welfare reform law now permits. I am stunned on so many levels. I am very hurt and feel victimized. But am I wrong to believe that I shouldn't be held responsible for a daughter I never knew I had? The assumption seems to be that I, as a father, have no rights, only responsibilities.

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FYI...

1) The state destroys families - state-sponsored kidnappings done under the guise of welfare for the child.

2) The state makes it prohibitively difficult for a Non-Custodial parent to remain a part of the child's life, especially with a non-cooperative custodial parent.

3) The state assigns economically punitive levels of child support. ($1500 / month is more than Michigan provides for a full time minimum wage job.)

4) The Custodial parents develop a sense of entitlement.

5) The psychological impact of losing a child wreaks havoc on an individual emotionally often leading to disfunctional behavior - alcoholism, absenteeism, or flight.

6) The judge doesn't accept the disfunctional behavior and holds the support award steady for the needs of the child and to punish the behavior.

6) The non custodial parent falls deeper into arrearage, loses hope of catching up, learns to despise government, the other parent, and sometimes even the child. Everything they believed life was about has been taken away, their life is ruined.

7) The custodial parent then struggles with a non-custodial parent that doesn't take interest in their child. Doesn't get the money, and learns to resent the child because of the financial difficulties and the burdens of the government family management program.

7) The feds recognize this problem and decide to help by offering to reimburse state expenses to pursue deadbeats.

8) The state, lawyers, and prison developers all are incentivized to pursue deadbeats and develop even crueler programs of pursuit to help families.

9) Society suffers greater tax penalties. Children don't have good cooperative role models, grow up confused emotionally. Parents resent the endless government interference and just want to be able to raise their families.

10) System continues indefinately.

The state of michigan puts $140 Million of the $205 Million budget for child support enforcement directly into the hands of lawyers. Lawyers support the status quo and often contribute to political campaigns. All of this money comes from parents and the federal taxpayers. This is all a part of the growing bureaucracy of family management that is insensitive to families real needs.

We need to end this sick malformed cycle and empower parents to be parents. Parents need to push for rights to family as well. Without it there is only more of the above. There is too much money and not enough leadership deciding behaviors in the system for it to work for the welfare of the child.

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Has paternity been established?....The issue is concealment of a child is different from a denial of visitation.we should talk don't get railroaded over her failure to be a proper mother and allow her father in her life.if in fact she is yours.

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For the most part the average person involved in "domestic relations" civil lawsuits never fully understand the underlying economic factors driving public policy that have impaired judicial discretion, and influenced professional judgement associated with the claim made by so many as the "best interests of the children." There is a direct correlation for child-custody determinations and domestic relations awards that de-emphasize the importance of sharing parental responsibility while emphasizing a public policy concerned only on financial gains achieved by limiting a child’s contact with one of their parents. In essence, the driving forces of US social welfare programs within the Social Security Act (SSA) provide incentives for the expansion of what has become a complete economic industry deriving its profits from the encouraged breakdown of the relationship between a child and one of their parents.

When people like Judge G. Patrick Hillary, John R. Cole, and Daniel J. Fojtik (Kent County, MI employees)try and shape the court record to say that I am confused, you only have to understand one small fact that is causing their IMPAIRED and BIASED thinking ability; that fact is that they are anti-family and are directly profiting from the destruction of the bonds between children and one of their parents so that every domestic relations civil suit litigant fits into a Welfare and Ward of the State case model known as Title IV-D. Read http://www.removethesepeople.org and you will know that these officials have initiated an expedited policy of using fear to short circuit debate, suppress evidence, and drive a special interest public policy forward profiting from the destruction of our families and a systematic deprivation of our rights. Help stop Kent County officials from using your children as a source of profit for their expanding enterprise known as Family Court. Visit http://www.fixthefoc.com, http://www.fochelp.com, and email me at laryholland@sbcglobal.net. We are compiling information and taking action against these anti-family liberal welfare entepreneurs. You are not alone.

The Court Opinion in this case, shows clearly that this person went to jail for his INABILITY to pay a debt. A Domestic Relations case in Michigan is a Civil Lawsuit which produces Civil Orders and is found on contract or consent orders. The money that accrues on the Civil Order is known as a Judicial Debt, clearly laid out in Black's Law Dictionary. Non-Compliance with an Order or Judgment STILL falls under the definition of DEBT in Black's Law Dictionary. The Michigan Constitution states specifically that "No person shall be imprisoned for debt arising out of, or founded on a contract, express or implied, except in cases of fraud or breach of trust, or of moneys collected by public officers, or in any professional employment." (see Art VI Sec. 33 Mich Const(1850) Now take the wording of the _Mich Const 1963 Art. VI 6 sec. 21_ you will see they removed the part about collecting but added "express or implied" from contract. 21) The Courts are praying on the ignorance of the people by wordsmithing and criminalizing disputes between parents and undermining the rights of our families and forcing a liberal welfare policy to generate profits for their own big government where people are too scared to exercise their rights.

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It doesn't and, until recently here, the support clock kept on ticking in prison.



Taking away many of their ways to earn a living (driver's license, state licensing for things like security guards), doesn't add to the solution either.



We've plowed this ground before and I'm not going to repeat everything I said earlier.



Yes, people should support their children and something needs to be done. Prison isn't it and I don't have any "pat" solutuions.



Oh, we've abolished debtor's prison but this is an exception that falls under "contempt of court". No bail usually, they just sit there.

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i think it is the slap in the face this guy needs to realize he needs to stop wallowing in self pity and provide for his child(ren). kids shouldn't suffer and many single moms depend solely on that child support coming on time and in full amount every month. we sure did and it was horrible whenever payments were late until "dad" got put in jail for failure to pay. that snapped him right back into shape and no payment has been late since. my sister is only 16 so my mom is still getting timely payments.

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I say if the man isn't going to be responsible for his child then send him to jail. In the real world there are very real conseqences for your actions and choices. As an adult he should realize that. Caring for the children isn't an option for the mother so why shouldn't the father be expected to do the same? It makes me ill to hear so much sympathy for these deadbeat dads while the children and mothers are struggling to get by. One comment especially got to me - will it really help the dad to let him sit in jail. Who is going to help the mother and child? After racking up $100,000 he obviously has no plan to do his part, sounds like it is time for jail to me. Who knows how many chances he has already been given to pay.

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I agree with you all. I am a single mother who has had to move in with family. I AND my son's father have college degrees ! The burden that nonpayment of child support creates on ALL of society and taxpayers IS criminal. If that parent were living with the children and heard them saying "I'm hungry" or complaining that their clothes are all too small and full of holes, do you think he would be so quick to walk away?

We need to find a solution. This is NOT debtors prison. These people are a scourge to our whole community. We need to have more work release programs, or electronic ankle monitoring. Part of his sentence needs to be to go to treatment for his substance abuse choices. Make HIM pay for any costs incurred in his sentence. So what if it takes him more than 5 years to pay off his debt? (I know it will take me more than that to pay off the debt I have incurred due to no child support for years) Maybe then HE will has his epiphany: the responsibility for children is a 24/7 , every day, lifetime responsibility.

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If child support is so equitable, why is it that only non-custodial parents are ordered by the Courts to pay it and why are custodial parents not made to account to the courts as to how their child support is spent?



Women go for custody because they know it means tax free, monthly income.



Non-payment of child support only puts a burden on all of society when the custodial parent makes a conscious choice to go on TANF.

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Of course it is a burden to society. TANF recipients do not constitute the majority of child support cases. Who do you think pays for judicial and collection costs of (ALL TYPES)of non collected child support? Not the parents..the taxpayers! In fact, if you read the laws a little more carefully, you will see that all Child Suppport Enforcement Agencies have in place procedures to repay themselves back for money given as TANF. This repayment goes to the state BEFORE it goes to the children. There is currently legislation in front of House Committees to refigure that arrangement.

As far as how the money is spent....do you need a monthly bill? Food, clothes, housing, childcare, transportation..... What are the national averages of what is costs to raise a child yearly. I think around 13 to 15 K. SO lets, see...I think I in fairness I should get a percentage of that based on how much time my I care for my son as opposed to with his father. Oh, no...let's see what the law says. Support is calculated on income of both parents split based on custody arrangement. Why don't you check the laws and the facts?

I worked in nonprofit for years.There are plenty of people in our country, not just single mothers who look for an easy way out. The statement that women "go for custody" to get money is baseless bull****. I pursue support because I know it is the responsibility of my son's father to care for his son as do I.

"...tax free income.."?! I have worked since my son was 6 weeks old. In that time I have completed my B.S and almost my Master's degree. I have passed up COUNTLESS personal, professional and educational opportunities in deference to my responsibility to raise my child. In all these years we have been often hungry. All our clothes are hand me downs and from Good Will. My family has had to buy me 2 beat up old cars. We have been without health coverage. I have incurred more than 23,000 worth of debt to keep us afloat.

I would do it all again in a heartbeat. I am in love with my child and I AM A RESPONSIBLE PARENT.

In the meantime, I have spent thousands of dollars of my own money, then when I couldn't afford it, the states money pursuing child support. I have damaged myself financially that will take me years to rectify.

My son's father has traveled, quickly quit jobs when found, bought cars, clothes, had a social life, and not seen his son once.

This is NOT "tax free income". It is money necessary to care for the child that he AND I created.

Get a clue.

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Unfortunately there are many men in america who are either unable or unwilling to be responsible for the actions they're so humble to accknowlege. Boasting to their male friends of their conquests yet never revealing the lack of support to assist in the aftermath of either a one night stand or weeks, months, or years of what took five minutes to do and eightteen years to finish. Children need both parents to step up and help them become the future adults that will possibley lead this country some day. Without the propper upbringing from resposible parents, we risk delivering these children into a world of alcohol,drugs,gangs,and constant instability.Raising kids is the responsibility of not only the parents who spent those long exciting five minutes or so to produce such child, but is still in my belief a moral duty of the people around to help and assist in any way possible. Men, please stand up and take care of your jobs as a responsible individual,and help pay for these childrens upbringing instead of thinking you can dodge the bullet by standing in denial.

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Unfortunately there are many men in america who are either unable or unwilling to be responsible for the actions they're so humble to accknowlege. Boasting to their male friends of their conquests yet never revealing the lack of support to assist in the aftermath of either a one night stand or weeks, months, or years of what took five minutes to do and eightteen years to finish. Children need both parents to step up and help them become the future adults that will possibley lead this country some day. Without the propper upbringing from resposible parents, we risk delivering these children into a world of alcohol,drugs,gangs,and constant instability.Raising kids is the responsibility of not only the parents who spent those long exciting five minutes or so to produce such child, but is still in my belief a moral duty of the people around to help and assist in any way possible. Men, please stand up and take care of your jobs as a responsible individual,and help pay for these childrens upbringing instead of thinking you can dodge the bullet by standing in denial.

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So, "Dave Briggman": women keep their kids for tax free money huh?

Wow. And here was me thinking the reason most mothers keep their children is because they love them, but need the financial AND if possbible emotional and practical support of their ex-partners/spouces because they want to make sure they have the best upbringing possible, or even, as in many cases, they keep their children not only because they love them but because their "daddy" has walked out and left them without so much as a backward glance, and need the financial support just to survive.



And I also thought that the thousands of pounds it takes to give take care of just one child: you know, food, soap etc, clothes, school supplies/nappies (depending on age), modern household necessities like gas, electricity, water rates, council tax, you know, all that pesky stuff you have to deal with to keep a roof over the child's head and keep that roof warm, lit and supplied with water - there was me thinking all of that would kind of, you know EAT INTO that handy little wad of monthly cash a little. And that's not including spending money to buy presents, or pay for days out, or club memberships, or music lessons...



Guess I'm naive, huh?



And yeah, Dave, about stealing that lovely free money for selfish means: well, you've got my mother banged to rights. When I was under 16 the pitiful sum of child income support (NOT child support paid by my father who left when I was 11: my mother never asked for it, even though we desperately needed it, because she felt it more important to encourage a continuing relationship between father and daughter, not that that worked) paid to my mum due to her wages (again, Dave, note; I said WAGES, not sponging off the economy - my mother worked full time and then some to try and provide for us) coming under a national average sometimes was NOT spent directly on me. Sometimes bits of it was spent on things like second hand shoes for herself because her old second hand pair were falling to bits and she had to go to work to earn money for...Oh, yeah, right: for ME.



But I guess the fact that there are millions of single mothers struggling without emotional, practical and or financial support doesn't matter, does it Dave, because of those few bad apples abusing the system?



Before I go, let me let you in on a little secret:



There are ALWAYS abusers of EVERY system. The trick is managing to support those who need it despite that and punish the abusers accordingly. I'm not saying that prison is the answer, but something does have to be done, and I await with bated breath your solution to how this can be achieved.



Or do you truly feel that every single parent is an abuser of the system?

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